Angela Merkel won fourth term as German Chancellor; likelihood of protracted coalition talks ahead

Global Markets Special Focus Reports

Angela Merkel won her 4th term as German Chancellor on Sunday’s September 24th federal election. The Conservative Christian democratic political alliance, consisting of Angela Merkel’s centre-right CDU and the Bavarian sister-party CSU remained the strongest party, but it got only 33.0% of the total vote, its second lowest electoral showing since 1948. The SPD came 2nd with 20.5%, its worst post-World War II performance, a disappointing result for party leader Martin Shultz who immediately announced the party’s intention to go into opposition.